BIO

Thomas G. Kopacz, Attorney

Tom is an Associate Attorney at Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues where he focuses his practice on DUI/OVI, Traffic Defense, Criminal Defense, and Juvenile Defense.

Tom is originally from Medina, Ohio, and joined the United States Marine Corps out of high school. From 2001 through 2006, Tom was stationed throughout Southwest Asia and California. Tom eventually achieved the rank of Sergeant, and received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star for his exemplary service.

After his time in the Marine Corps, Tom attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he graduated with a BA in Economics in 2008. Tom then went on to attend law school at the University of Dayton, graduating in 2013. While in law school, Tom served as team member and board member of the Moot Court Team. As a result, Tom was named to the prestigious Order of the Barristers for his excellence in appellate advocacy. In addition, Tom served two years as the President of the Criminal Law Association.

Tom began his legal career early on with a local criminal and traffic defense firm. For two years, Tom clerked and shadowed DUI/OVI and criminal defense attorneys. Tom’s hands on experience allowed him to be immediately hired on by the firm and to start taking on cases. During this time, Tom was a Litigation Associate with a primary focus on DUI/OVI Defense, Traffic Defense, and Criminal Defense. As a Litigation Associate, Tom experienced much success fighting for client rights and obtaining client goals.
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Tom’s years of experience in the DUI/OVI, Traffic, and Criminal arena have given him a unique understanding of the legal systems of Southwest Ohio. Tom will assess all the evidence that will be used against you (i.e. Breath Tests, Field Sobriety Tests, Officer Observations, etc.), spot the weakness of the police officer’s and prosecutor’s case, formulate defenses in your favor, utilize the weakness in the prosecutor’s case and your defenses to negotiate a favorable outcome, and work to Minimize The Negative Consequences.

Email: kopacz@hcmmlaw.com
Thomas Kopacz
Attorney For Those Unexpected Party Fouls

Press Articles

Education
  • University of Dayton, School of Law, J.D., 2013
  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), B.A., Economics, 2008

Qualifications & Awards
  • National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) Certified to administer Standardized Field Sobriety Tests
  • 2016 “10 Best” Client Satisfaction Award (2nd Award) from the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • 2015 “10 Best” Client Satisfaction Award from the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
  • Admitted to Practice in Ohio (2013)
  • Admitted to Practice in Federal Court, Southern District of Ohio (2015)
  • Awarded Top 100 Defense Blog 'Ohio Criminal Defense Law Blog' (2017)

Avvo
Lawyer Thomas Kopacz
Lawyer DUI & DWI

Member
  • Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Law (Ohio Chapter)
  • Dayton Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Present Position
  • Associate Attorney with Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues (2015)

Previous Positions
  • ​Litigation Associate, the Deters Law Group, Bellbrook, Ohio (2013-2015)
  • Law Clerk, the Deters Law Group, Bellbrook, Ohio (2011-2013)
  • Extern, Bryan K. Penick, L.P.A., Dayton, Ohio (2012)

Publications
  • Managing Editor of the Ohio Criminal Defense Law Blog
  • Host of Sunday Morning Law Podcast
  • Concealed Handgun Licenses and Plea Bargains: A Few Things To Keep In Mind During Plea Negotiations, Dayton Bar Briefs, December 2015

Practice Areas